Last weekend I paid a visit to Alloway for the Alloway 1759 celebrations and events to commemorate Robert Burns. There were lots of activities including haggis hurling, live music and some great theatre as well.

I got beaten at the haggis hurling by a nine-year-old, which was a great experience.

But I loved the live music from Bags of Rock a band who played lots of Scottish songs fusing the modern with the traditional in quite a contemporary way.

The sight of a young gentleman with a dyed pink mohican and a kilt belting out Flower of Scotland in treble time on an electric guitar flanked by two bagpipers playing in different octaves in unision was quite a sight and while purists may have been a bit taken aback by it I think its always great to see musicians trying something new and being experimental with their creativity. Fun is the name of the game.

Last week I had the pleasure of hearing music quite unlike anything I’d heard live before in Ayrshire, it was a wonderful combination of sounds, tempos and incorporated several genres as well as people from across the world. That group are Duffy’s Gypsy Band.

The group are well renowned and appreciated in Ayrshire with a growing following from each live performance, I'm definitely a fan now!

Formed in late 2011 the group consists of two Scots, two Italians, an American and Duffy who also plays with the Fabulous Duffy Gibbons.

The group fuse a myriad of music genres together including gypsy jazz which creates a heady brew played with passion and great enthusiasm. One of the best live music groups I’ve ever seen or heard live. This group are one hot ticket and I would defy anyone not to really enjoy them and appreciate them.

Duffy’s Gypsy Band told me they are currently working on their debut album, which I am sure is going to be an absolute stormer.

This very talented group perform at the Acoustic Bliss open mic.

Formed in the late 2011. 2 Scots, 2 Italians an American and Duffy from Sunderland, who also plays within the Fabulous Duffy Gibbons. Duffy bouzouki lead vocal, Steg McCann bass, Francesca Masucci violin, Anderson Council guitars, Laura Hyslop clarinet/guitars, Richard Hamilton Percussion. The group of richly talented musicians who play at Acoustic bliss open mic sessions in the Firehouse Ayr every Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.